Ricketts Withdrawal Opens 'Lucky Loser' Door For Simpson

The eleventh-hour withdrawal of Australia's two-times runner-up Anthony Ricketts from this week's ISS Canary Wharf Classic in London has provided a 'lucky loser' opportunity for Guernsey's Chris Simpson.

Ricketts, the third seed, had a cortisone injection on his elbow back home in Australia last week but decided not to risk further damage to his racket arm. The injury flared up a fortnight ago during the Tournament of Champions in New York, where Ricketts reached the final against Egypt's world No1 Amr Shabana - but had to concede at one game all because of the pain.

Ironically, Shabana pulled out of the Canary Wharf Classic last week because of a hand injury - leaving organisers having to make a redraw last week. Reigning champion Thierry Lincou of France moved to top seed, with Sheffield's Nick Matthew, the current British Open champion, the new No2 seed.

The absence of Ricketts means that Simpson, a former European Junior Champion, comes in as lucky loser after Sunday's qualifying finals of the 5-star PSA Tour event at Wimbledon Racquets and Fitness Club. The 19-year-old, currently based in Harrogate in Yorkshire, faces No7 seed Wael El Hindi of Egypt on Tuesday.

Simpson admitted he was not expecting to be in the main tournament and said: "Now I will have to postpone my skiing trip."

Italian Davide Bianchetti, Englishmen Stacey Ross and Daryl Selby, and Australia's Aaron Frankcomb, won through from qualifying. Selby had to fight hard to overcome the talented 16-year-old Mohamed El Shorbagy, who is based at the Wimbledon club and enjoyed the support of a packed gallery.

Shorbagy held three game balls in the third game before the more experienced Selby, the 24-year-old world No38 from Essex, clinched the tiebreaker 15-13.

Tarek Momen, another young Egyptian, lost to Davide Bianchetti of Italy, while Ross defied a cut hand to overcome Channel Islander Simpson. In the final qualifier, Frankcomb fought back from two games down to beat Brazil's Rafael F Alarcon in 75 minutes.

Qualifying finals:
Davide Bianchetti (ITA) bt Tarek Momen (EGY) 11-9, 11-6, 4-11, 11-9 (65m)
Stacey Ross (ENG) bt Chris Simpson (ENG) 11-6, 11-10 (2-0), 11-2 (42m)
Daryl Selby (ENG) bt Mohamed El Shorbagy (EGY) 11-7, 11-8, 11-10 (5-3) (51m)
Aaron Frankcomb (AUS) bt Rafael F Alarcon (BRA) 8-11, 4-11, 11-10 (2-0), 11-4, 11-6 (75m)